Math Therapists

Elsa M. Mata

“Our Math teacher is on the way to our class!”

The sentence above is just a simple expression but it brings different emotions to students. Excitement for those who loves numbers and logic but anxiousness for those who are having a difficulty in Math. In general, Math is considered the most hated and hardest subject by the students around the world. So, there is a question for all Math teachers: how will you make Math to be an easy and interesting subject?

We can use different strategies to make Math as an easy and fun subject, but we need to start first with the teachers. Being a terror or strict teacher is a good strategy to establish authority to your students and for them to be well-disciplined in learning, but it is not applicable for everyone especially in Math. Students will be afraid in raising questions or admitting that they do not understand the lesson. Instead, we can display an approachable personality to the students, try to use some humor to make the discussion not too serious, use some “hugot” to maintain the class alive.

Most of the people see Math as an abstract subject and cannot see what the application in real life of a certain lesson is. To help the students’ understanding and for them to appreciate the lessons, make use of visual aids and manipulatives available and show what are the applications of those lessons in real life using pictures or videos. Try to cite simple things they use that is connected to the current lesson so they can see more connection of Math in their daily lives.

We are now in 21st century era wherein it is dominated by technologies and presents a new breed of learners. Teachers especially in Math where it is hard to catch the attention of the learners, must teach with the use of our available technologies. The new generation of learners spent most of their time online whether on social media platforms or games. Knowing these interests, teachers can involve social media platforms in their performance if applicable. They can also try to create a version of online games and inject the current lesson or make use of the popular and catchy songs and replace the lyrics with concepts of the topics. Utilizing these strategies, the students will have a fun and interesting way of learning Math.

Math teachers can employ other techniques they think to be effective aside from those mentioned above but always remember that the subject matter must not be compromised along the way. Learning must be fun for everyone while achieving the goals set for each lesson.

--oOo-

The author is T-III at Bro. Andrew Gonzalez Technical High School